| Keyword |
Description |
| Haunted |
A place people say has ghosts or spooky events |
| Legend |
An old story people tell, not proven |
| Canal |
A water pathway where boats travel |
Mexico City is home to many haunted places and old legends, particularly in neighborhoods like Coyoacán and the Historic Center, where people share stories about ghosts and strange sounds in historic buildings and alleys. An old mental hospital called “La Castañeda” had a scary reputation because people said patients were treated badly, which makes the place feel haunted even today. There is also a hall called “Divino Narciso,” where the writer Sor Juana was buried long ago, and students say they sometimes hear gentle footsteps there.
In Coyoacán, Callejón del Aguacate has a sad legend about a boy and a soldier from long ago, and neighbors say strange things happen, like cars stalling and phones losing signal near an old avocado tree. Down in the Xochimilco canals, Isla de las Muñecas is covered with old dolls, some with missing parts, creating a spooky feeling that many visitors notice when they ride a boat to the island. These places are part of Mexico City’s history and culture, so visitors should be curious and respectful while learning the stories people still share today.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English |
Spanish |
| Legends |
Leyendas |
| Sounds |
Sonidos |
| Curious |
Curioso |
Time to discuss
- Which place seems the scariest to visit, and why?
- What clues make these places feel haunted in the stories?
- How should visitors show respect at historical or sacred sites?
Let's write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- Write a short paragraph imagining a calm, respectful visit to one site; describe what you see, hear, and feel.
- Compare two places from the text: how are they alike and different?
